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2 Samuel 19 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

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Joab Reproves David’s Lament

19 Then it was told Joab, “Behold, (A)the king is weeping and mourns for Absalom.” 2 The [a]victory that day was turned to mourning for all the people, for the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” 3 So the people went by stealth into the city that day, as people who are humiliated steal away when they flee in battle. 4 The king (B)covered his face and [b]cried out with a loud voice, “(C)O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines, 6 by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have shown today that [c]princes and servants are nothing to you; for I know this day that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then [d]you would be pleased. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak [e]kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, surely (D)not a man will pass the night with you, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.”

David Restored as King

8 So the king arose and sat in the gate. When they told all the people, saying, “Behold, the king is (E)sitting in the gate,” then all the people came before the king.

Now (F)Israel had fled, each to his tent. 9 All the people were quarreling throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “(G)The king delivered us from the [f]hand of our enemies and (H)saved us from the [g]hand of the Philistines, but now (I)he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 10 However, Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now then, why are you silent about bringing the king back?”

11 Then King David sent to (J)Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the word of all Israel has come to the king, even to his house? 12 You are my brothers; (K)you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 Say to (L)Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? (M)May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be (N)commander of the army before me continually (O)in place of Joab.’” 14 Thus he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah (P)as one man, so that they sent word to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.” 15 The king then returned and came as far as the Jordan. And Judah came to (Q)Gilgal in order to go to meet the king, to bring the king across the Jordan.

16 Then (R)Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, with (S)Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they rushed to the Jordan before the king. 18 Then they kept crossing the ford to bring over the king’s household, and to do what was good in his sight. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan. 19 So he said to the king, “(T)Let not my lord consider me guilty, nor remember what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king came out from Jerusalem, so that the king would [h]take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned; therefore behold, I have come today, (U)the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.” 21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, “(V)Should not Shimei be put to death for this, (W)because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 David then said, “(X)What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be an adversary to me? (Y)Should any man be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?” 23 The king said to Shimei, “(Z)You shall not die.” Thus the king swore to him.

24 Then (AA)Mephibosheth the [i]son of Saul came down to meet the king; and (AB)he had neither [j]cared for his feet, nor [k]trimmed his mustache, nor (AC)washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace. 25 It was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “(AD)Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 So he answered, “O my lord, the king, my servant deceived me; for your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ (AE)because your servant is lame. 27 Moreover, (AF)he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is (AG)like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight. 28 For (AH)all my father’s household was nothing but dead men before my lord the king; (AI)yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have yet that I should [l]complain anymore to the king?” 29 So the king said to him, “Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have [m]decided, ‘You and Ziba shall divide the land.’” 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him even take it all, since my lord the king has come safely to his own house.”

31 Now (AJ)Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to [n]escort him over the Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, being eighty years old; and he had [o](AK)sustained the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “You cross over with me and I will [p]sustain you in Jerusalem with me.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “(AL)How long [q]have I yet to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am [r]now (AM)eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Or can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Or can I hear anymore (AN)the voice of singing men and women? (AO)Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant would merely cross over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king compensate me with this reward? 37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant (AP)Chimham, let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.” 38 The king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight; and whatever you [s]require of me, I will do for you.” 39 All the people crossed over the Jordan and the king crossed too. The king then (AQ)kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.

40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; and all the people of Judah and also (AR)half the people of Israel [t]accompanied the king. 41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “(AS)Why had our brothers (AT)the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household and all David’s men with him over the Jordan?” 42 Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because (AU)the king is a close relative to [u]us. Why then [v]are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense, or has [w]anything been taken for us?” 43 But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, “[x](AV)We have ten parts in the king, therefore [y]we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Was it not [z]our advice first to bring back [aa]our king?” Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:2 Lit salvation
  2. 2 Samuel 19:4 Lit the king cried
  3. 2 Samuel 19:6 Or commanders
  4. 2 Samuel 19:6 Lit it would be right in your eyes
  5. 2 Samuel 19:7 Lit to the heart
  6. 2 Samuel 19:9 Lit palm
  7. 2 Samuel 19:9 Lit palm
  8. 2 Samuel 19:19 Lit set
  9. 2 Samuel 19:24 I.e. grandson
  10. 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit done
  11. 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit done
  12. 2 Samuel 19:28 Lit cry out
  13. 2 Samuel 19:29 Lit said
  14. 2 Samuel 19:31 Lit send
  15. 2 Samuel 19:32 Or provided food for
  16. 2 Samuel 19:33 Or provide food for
  17. 2 Samuel 19:34 Lit are the days of the years of my life
  18. 2 Samuel 19:35 Lit today
  19. 2 Samuel 19:38 Lit choose
  20. 2 Samuel 19:40 Lit crossed over with
  21. 2 Samuel 19:42 Lit me
  22. 2 Samuel 19:42 Lit is it hot to you
  23. 2 Samuel 19:42 Or a gift
  24. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
  25. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
  26. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
  27. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb

Cross references

  1. 2 Samuel 19:1 : 2 Sam 18:5, 14
  2. 2 Samuel 19:4 : 2 Sam 15:30
  3. 2 Samuel 19:4 : 2 Sam 18:33
  4. 2 Samuel 19:7 : Prov 14:28
  5. 2 Samuel 19:8 : 2 Sam 15:2; 18:24
  6. 2 Samuel 19:8 : 2 Sam 18:17
  7. 2 Samuel 19:9 : 2 Sam 8:1-14
  8. 2 Samuel 19:9 : 2 Sam 5:20; 8:1
  9. 2 Samuel 19:9 : 2 Sam 15:14
  10. 2 Samuel 19:11 : 2 Sam 15:29
  11. 2 Samuel 19:12 : 2 Sam 5:1
  12. 2 Samuel 19:13 : 2 Sam 17:25
  13. 2 Samuel 19:13 : 1 Kin 19:2
  14. 2 Samuel 19:13 : 2 Sam 8:16
  15. 2 Samuel 19:13 : 2 Sam 3:27-39; 19:5-7
  16. 2 Samuel 19:14 : Judg 20:1
  17. 2 Samuel 19:15 : Josh 5:9; 1 Sam 11:14, 15
  18. 2 Samuel 19:16 : 2 Sam 16:5-13; 1 Kin 2:8
  19. 2 Samuel 19:17 : 2 Sam 16:1-4; 19:26, 27
  20. 2 Samuel 19:19 : 1 Sam 22:15; 2 Sam 16:6-8
  21. 2 Samuel 19:20 : 2 Sam 16:5
  22. 2 Samuel 19:21 : 2 Sam 16:7, 8
  23. 2 Samuel 19:21 : Ex 22:28
  24. 2 Samuel 19:22 : 2 Sam 3:39; 16:9, 10
  25. 2 Samuel 19:22 : 1 Sam 11:13
  26. 2 Samuel 19:23 : 1 Kin 2:8
  27. 2 Samuel 19:24 : 2 Sam 9:6-10
  28. 2 Samuel 19:24 : 2 Sam 12:20
  29. 2 Samuel 19:24 : Ex 19:10
  30. 2 Samuel 19:25 : 2 Sam 16:17
  31. 2 Samuel 19:26 : 2 Sam 9:3
  32. 2 Samuel 19:27 : 2 Sam 16:3, 4
  33. 2 Samuel 19:27 : 2 Sam 14:17, 20
  34. 2 Samuel 19:28 : 2 Sam 21:6-9
  35. 2 Samuel 19:28 : 2 Sam 9:7, 10, 13
  36. 2 Samuel 19:31 : 2 Sam 17:27-29; 1 Kin 2:7
  37. 2 Samuel 19:32 : 2 Sam 17:27-29
  38. 2 Samuel 19:34 : Gen 47:8
  39. 2 Samuel 19:35 : Ps 90:10
  40. 2 Samuel 19:35 : Eccl 2:8; Is 5:11, 12
  41. 2 Samuel 19:35 : 2 Sam 15:33
  42. 2 Samuel 19:37 : 2 Sam 19:40; 1 Kin 2:7; Jer 41:17
  43. 2 Samuel 19:39 : Gen 31:55; Ruth 1:14; 2 Sam 14:33
  44. 2 Samuel 19:40 : 2 Sam 19:9, 10
  45. 2 Samuel 19:41 : Judg 8:1; 12:1
  46. 2 Samuel 19:41 : 2 Sam 19:11, 12
  47. 2 Samuel 19:42 : 2 Sam 19:12
  48. 2 Samuel 19:43 : 2 Sam 5:1; 1 Kin 11:30, 31

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2 Samuel 19 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

19 And it is declared to Joab, `Lo, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom;' 2 and the salvation on that day becometh mourning to all the people, for the people hath heard on that day, saying, `The king hath been grieved for his son.' 3 And the people stealeth away, on that day, to go in to th...
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2 Samuel 19 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

19 Forsooth it was told to Joab, that the king wept, and bewailed his son; 2 and the victory in that day was turned into mourning to all the people; for the people heard, that it was said in that day, The king maketh sorrow on his son. (and so the victory that day was turned into mourning for all th...
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2 Samuel 19 - World English Bible (WEB)

19 Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.” 2 The victory that day was turned into mourning among all the people; for the people heard it said that day, “The king grieves for his son.” 3 The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they...
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2 Samuel 19 - The Voice (VOICE)

David should never be counted out. Hours before, Absalom has everything going his way, and David is run out of his kingdom. Smart and fierce, he doesn’t spend all those years hiding from Saul and fighting with little or no resources for nothing. Although he orders his generals to be merciful to his ...
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2 Samuel 19 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

David Weeps Over Absalom19 The king was shaken. So he went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. As he walked he cried, “My son Absalom! O my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Then Joab was told, “Look, the king is weeping and mourning over Absal...
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2 Samuel 19 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

19 It was told Jo′ab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Ab′salom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people; for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed ...
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2 Samuel 19 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

19 It was told Jo′ab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Ab′salom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people; for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed ...
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2 Samuel 19 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

19 It was told Joab, ‘The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.’ 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops; for the troops heard that day, ‘The king is grieving for his son.’ 3 The troops stole into the city that day as soldiers steal in who are ashamed when they fl...
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2 Samuel 19 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

19 It was told Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”(A)2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops, for the troops heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 The troops stole into the city that day as soldiers steal in who are ashamed when they fl...
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2 Samuel 19 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Joab Rebukes the King19 [a]Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. 2 As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. 3 They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and h...
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2 Samuel 19 - New Life Version (NLV)

19 Then Joab was told, “See, the king is crying. He is filled with sorrow for Absalom.” 2 So the happiness of winning the battle that day was changed to sorrow for all the people. For they heard that day, “The king is filled with sorrow for his son.” 3 So the people were quiet as they went in secr...
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2 Samuel 19 - New King James Version (NKJV)

David Returns to Jerusalem19 And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and (A)mourning for Absalom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into (B)mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” 3 And the people [a]stole back (C)into the ...
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2 Samuel 19 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

19 [a]Joab was told, ‘The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.’ 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, ‘The king is grieving for his son.’ 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when...
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2 Samuel 19 - New International Version (NIV)

19 [a]Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when t...
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2 Samuel 19 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

19 Someone told Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom. He’s filled with sadness because his son has died.” 2 The army had won a great battle that day. But their joy turned into sadness. That’s because someone had told the troops, “The king is filled with sorrow because his son is dead...
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2 Samuel 19 - New English Translation (NET)

19 (19:2) Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” 2 So the victory of that day was turned to mourning as far as all the people were concerned. For the people heard on that day, “The king is grieved over his son.” 3 That day the people stole away to go to the city the way pe...
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